DEC bans shellfish harvesting in parts of Southold Town

The Department of Environmental Conservation has temporarily closed shellfish harvesting areas in parts of Southold Town.The action came today following heavy rain that doused the town Wednesday causing stormwater runoff that carries bacteria and other pathogens into surface waters.

In Southold, all of Southold Bay and Pipes Cove are affected by the DEC closing as well as all of Hog Neck Bay and its tributaries, lying north of a line from Nassau Point to Cedar Beach Point.

The DEC will reopen the waterways for shellfishing as soon as it can determine through water quality testing that it’s safe to do so. But DEC officials speculated that could take several days.

In the meantime, those hoping to harvest shellfish can call (631) 444-0480 for updated recorded messages, alerting them to any changes in conditions.

More information is also available on the DEC’s website at dec.ny.gov.

Photo caption: The DEC map shows the mustard colored areas that are closed to shellfishing.